Cooling air system for a patty-forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cooling air system is provided for a patty-forming apparatus having a machine base that includes an enclosing wall and contains equipment within the machine base that generates heat, such as electric motors, electrical and control equipment. The machine base includes an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening through the enclosing wall. At least one air fan is arranged to move outside air from the air inlet opening to the air outlet opening. A first air damper is arranged to close the air inlet opening. A second air damper is arranged to close the air outlet opening. The first and second air dampers are configured to automatically close if power is interrupted to the apparatus. The dampers each includes a cover or plate and at least one inlet pneumatic cylinder that elevates the cover above the inlet or outlet opening when energized, allowing outside air to pass through the machine base. Springs are arranged such that when the pneumatic cylinders are de-energized, the springs urge the covers onto the openings to close up the machine base.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 60/503,354, filed Sep. 16, 2003; U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 60/515,585, filed Oct. 29, 2003; and U.S. provisional applicationSer. No. 60/571,368, filed May 14, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Use of pre-processed foods, both in homes and in restaurants, hascreated a demand for effective high-capacity automated food processingequipment. That demand is particularly evident with respect tohamburgers, molded steaks, fish cakes, and other molded food patties.

Food processors utilize high-speed molding machines, such as FORMAX F-6,F-12, F-19, F-26 or F-400 reciprocating mold plate forming machines,available from Formax, Inc. of Mokena, Ill., U.S.A., for supplyingpatties to the fast food industry. Prior known high-speed moldingmachines are also described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,887,964;4,372,008; 4,356,595; 4,821,376; and 4,996,743 herein incorporated byreference. Patty-forming machines include an enclosed base that housesheat generating equipment. A cooling air circulating system is providedto eliminate heat from inside the machine base.

Patty-forming machines must be cleaned and sanitized periodically duringoperation in a processing plant. During periodic spray cleaning andsanitizing of patty-forming machines, care must be taken that spray andwash debris doesn't enter and contaminate the machine base.

Although heretofore known FORMAX patty-molding machines have achievedcommercial success and wide industry acceptance, the present inventorshave recognized that needs exist for a patty-forming machine that iseffectively cooled and is more easily maintained and cleaned, and whichavoids contamination during spray cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved cooling air system for apatty-forming apparatus having a machine base. The machine base includesan enclosing wall and contains equipment within the machine base thatgenerates heat, such as electric motors, electrical and controlequipment. The machine base includes an air inlet opening and an airoutlet opening through the enclosing wall. At least one air fan isarranged to move outside air from the air inlet opening to the airoutlet opening. A first air damper is arranged to close one of the airinlet opening or the air outlet opening. The first air damper isconfigured to automatically close if power is interrupted to theapparatus.

According to a further enhancement of the invention, the first airdamper is arranged to close the air inlet opening, and a second airdamper is arranged to close the air outlet opening. The second airdamper is also configured to automatically close if power is interruptedto the apparatus.

According to the preferred embodiment, the inlet opening is located on atop side of the machine base, and the first damper comprises a cover andat least one inlet pneumatic cylinder that elevates the cover above theinlet opening when energized, allowing outside air to enter the inletopening. An inlet spring can be arranged such that when the inletpneumatic cylinder is de-energized, the inlet spring urges the coveronto the inlet opening to close the inlet opening.

According to the preferred embodiment, the outlet opening is located ona bottom of the machine base, and the second damper comprises a plateover the outlet opening. An outlet pneumatic cylinder is operativelyconnected to the plate to elevate the plate above the outlet opening toopen the outlet opening when the outlet pneumatic cylinder is energized.An outlet spring can be arranged to urge the plate onto the outletopening to close the outlet opening when the outlet pneumatic cylinderis de-energized.

According to the preferred embodiment, the first air damper arrangedoutside of the enclosing wall and the second air damper is arrangedwithin the enclosing wall.

The dampers of the invention can be automatically closed by the springsand/or by gravity if electric power is lost to the machine, causing thepneumatic actuators to be de-actuated.

Thus, when the machine is powered down for cleaning, the dampersautomatically close the air intake and/or outlet openings. The fan willbe powered off. This effectively battens down the machine base andprevents wash water, spray and contaminants from entering the machinebase. Also, the fact that the machine is pressurized during operation bythe fans can prevent some contaminants from entering the machine baseduring operation.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will bebecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patty-forming machine of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1A is an elevational view of the patty-forming machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the patty-forming machine ofFIG. 1, with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2,with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 2,with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 2,with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 2,with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 2,with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 2,with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIGS. 9A-9K are enlarged fragmentary sectional views taken from FIG. 2,showing the machine configuration as the mold plate is moved along itspath of reciprocation;

FIG. 10A is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line10A-10A of FIG. 9A, with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 10B is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line10B-10B of FIG. 9E, with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 11A is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line11A-11A of FIG. 9A, with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 11B is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line11B-11B of FIG. 9E, with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 12-12of FIG. 9B, with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongline 13-13 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13A is a fragmentary sectional view taken from FIG. 13, withcomponents removed for clarity;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 14-14of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of thepatty-forming machine

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 16-16of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16A is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line16A-16A of FIG. 16;

FIG. 16B is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from FIG. 4;

FIG. 16C is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line16C-16C of FIG. 16B;

FIG. 16D is a sectional view taken generally along line 16D-16D of FIG.16C;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a tube valve of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken generally along line 18-18 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken generally along line 19-19 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken generally along line 20-20 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is an elevational view taken generally along line 21-21 of FIG.20;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross section of the tube valve ofFIG. 17, showing the positions of and rotary expanse of inlet and outletports of the tube valve;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongline 23-23 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from FIG. 5;

FIG. 24A is an elevational view of a bushing taken from FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a view taken generally of along line 25-25 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 25A is a sectional view taken generally of along line 25A-25A ofFIG. 25;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged, sectional view taken generally along line 26-26of FIG. 2;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged, sectional view taken generally along line 27-27of FIG. 2;

FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic view of the frame system of the invention;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken from the leftside of FIG. 2;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken from a frontportion of FIG. 2, with components and/or panels removed for clarity;

FIG. 31 is sectional view taken generally along line 31-31 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is sectional view taken generally along line 32-32 of FIG. 31 ina first stage of operation;

FIG. 33 is sectional view similar to FIG. 31 in a second stage ofoperation;

FIG. 34 is a diagrammatic view of a lube oil system of the invention;

FIG. 35 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the rightside of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 36-38 are alternate mold plate and fill slot arrangements for thepatty-forming machine;

FIG. 39 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the valvearrangement shown in FIG. 12, taken generally along line 39-39 from FIG.9A;

FIG. 40 is a sectional view taken generally along line 40-40 of FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is a sectional view taken generally along line 41-41 of FIG. 39;

FIG. 42 is a diagram of the frame system of the patty-forming machine;

FIG. 43 is an enlarged view of a portion of the frame system taken fromFIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is an exploded perspective view of a hopper and some attachedcomponents of the patty-forming machine;

FIG. 45 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongline 45-45 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 46 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongline 46-46 of FIG. 2 and showing a further aspect of the invention;

FIG. 47 is a sectional view taken generally along line 47-47 of FIG. 46;

FIG. 48 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment tube valve of theinvention in a first rotary position;

FIG. 49 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment tube valve of theinvention in a second rotary position;

FIG. 50 is a plan view of the alternate embodiment tube valve of FIG. 49in a third rotary position;

FIG. 51 is a plan view of the alternate embodiment tube valve of FIG. 49in a fourth rotary position;

FIG. 52 is a sectional view taken generally along line 52-52 of FIG. 46;

FIG. 53 is a sectional view taken generally along line 53-53 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 59 is a position versus time diagram for a mold plate according tothe invention;

FIG. 54A is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line54A-54A of FIG. 13A showing the knockout apparatus in a rear position,with some panels and/or components removed for clarity;

FIG. 54B is a sectional view similar to FIG. 36A showing the knockoutapparatus in a forward position;

FIG. 55 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 56 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the framestructure of the apparatus;

FIG. 57 is an exploded perspective view of a rear portion of the framestructure of the apparatus;

FIG. 58 is an exploded perspective view of a front portion of the framestructure of the apparatus;

FIG. 60 is a diagram of a first mold plate waveform;

FIG. 61 is a diagram of a second mold plate waveform;

FIG. 62 is a diagram of a third mold plate waveform; and

FIG. 63 is a diagram of a fourth mold plate waveform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein indetail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific embodiments illustrated.

General Description Of The Apparatus

The high-speed food patty molding machine 20 illustrated in the figurescomprises an exemplary embodiment of the invention. This applicationincorporates by reference U.S. provisional application Ser. No.60/571,368, filed May 14, 2004; U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/503,354,filed Sep. 16, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/515,585, filed Oct. 29, 2003.

The molding machine 20 includes a machine base 21, preferably mountedupon a plurality of feet 22, rollers or wheels. The machine base 21supports the operating mechanism for machine 20 and can containhydraulic actuating systems, electrical actuating systems, and most ofthe machine controls. The base can be clad in 3/16 inch stainless steelpanels or skin. The machine 20 includes a supply 24 for supplyingmoldable food material, such as ground beef, fish, or the like, to theprocessing mechanisms of the machine.

A control panel 19, such as a touch screen control panel, is arranged ona forward end of the apparatus 20 and communicates with a machinecontroller 23, shown in FIG. 24.

As generally illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, supply means 24 comprises a largefood material storage hopper 25 that opens into the intake of a foodpump system 26. The food pump system 26 includes at least two food pumps61, 62, described in detail hereinafter, that continuously, orintermittently under a pre-selected control scheme, pump food material,under pressure, into a valve manifold 27 flow-connected to a cyclicallyoperated molding mechanism 28.

In the operation of machine 20, a supply of ground beef or othermoldable food material is deposited into hopper 25 from overhead. Anautomated refill device (not shown) can be used to refill the hopperwhen the supply of food product therein is depleted. The floor of hopper25 at least partially closed by a conveyor belt 31 of a conveyor 30. Thebelt 31 includes a top surface 31 a for moving the food materiallongitudinally of the hopper 25 to a hopper forward end 25 a.

The food material is moved by supply means 24 into the intake of plungerpumps 61, 62 of pumping system 26. The pumps 61, 62 of system 26 operatein overlapping alteration to each other; and at any given time whenmachine 20 is in operation, at least one of the pumps is forcing foodmaterial under pressure into the intake of manifold 27.

The manifold 27 comprises a path for feeding the food material, stillunder relatively high pressure, into the molding mechanism 28. Moldingmechanism 28 operates on a cyclic basis, first sliding a multi-cavitymold plate 32 into a receiving position over manifold 27 (FIG. 9A) andthen away from the manifold to a discharge position (FIG. 9F) alignedwith a series of knock out cups 33. When the mold plate 32 is at itsdischarge position, knock out cups plungers or cups 33 are drivendownwardly as indicated by 33A in FIG. 2, discharging hamburgers orother molded patties from machine 20. The molded patties are depositedonto a conveyor 29 (FIG. 1A), to be transported away from the apparatus20.

Food Supply System

The food supply means 24 and associated hopper 25 are illustrated inFIGS. 2-6. As seen, the conveyor belt 31 spans completely across thebottom of hopper 25, around an end of idler roller or pulley 35 anddrive roller or pulley 36, the lower portion of the belt being engagedby a tensioning roller 37. In some cases the tensioning roller 37 maynot be necessary, and can be eliminated. A drum motor (not visible) isprovided within the drive roller 36 for rotating the drive roller.

The belt 31 can include a longitudinal V-shaped rib on an inside surfacethereof that fits within a V-shaped cross sectional notch provided onthe rollers 35, 36 to maintain a lateral centering of the belt duringoperation.

The forward end 25 a of hopper 25 communicates with a vertical pump 38having an outlet 39 at least partly open into a pump intake manifoldchamber 41. A vertically oriented frame 42 extends above hopper 25adjacent the right-hand side of the outlet 39. A motor housing 40 ismounted on top of the frame 42. A support plate 43 is affixed to theupper portion of frame 42 extending over the outlet 39 in hopper 25. Theframe comprises four vertical tie rods 44 a surrounded by spacers 44 b(FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 5, the vertical pump 38 comprises two feed screw motors45, 46 that drive feed screws 51, 52. The two electrical feed screwmotors 45, 46 are mounted upon the support plate 43, within the motorhousing 40. Motor 45 drives the feed screw 51 that extends partlythrough opening 39 in alignment with a pump plunger 66 of the pump 61.Motor 46 drives the feed screw 52 located at the opposite side of hopper25 from feed screw 51, and aligned with another pump plunger 68 of thepump 62.

A level sensing mechanism 53 is located at the outlet end of hopper 25.The mechanism is shown in detail in FIG. 45. The mechanism 53 comprisesan elongated sensing element 54. As the moldable food material is movedforwardly in the hopper 25, it may accumulate to a level in which itengages and moves the sensing element 54 to a pre-selected degree. Whenthis occurs, a signal is generated to stop the drive for the roller 36of conveyor 31. In this manner the accumulation of food material at theforward end 25 a of hopper 25 is maintained at an advantageous level.

The element 54 includes a food engaging leg 54 a, and a bent-off leg 54b. The bent off leg 54 b includes a welded-on axle 54 c that isjournaled for pivoting on each end by bushings held by two lugs 54 d. Anair cylinder 55 is arranged on the support plate 43. The air cylinder 55exerts a pre-selected force on the upper leg 54 b to oppose rotation ofthe entire element 54 caused by pressure from food product in thehopper. The cylinder 55 is remotely adjustable to change the force tocompensate for variable food material density or to change the leveldesired at the feed screws 51, 52.

A proximity sensor assembly 56 is arranged next to the cylinder 55 onthe support plate 43. A bracket 56 a guides a moving shaft 56 b. Aproximity sensor 56 c is mounted to the bracket 56 a. The shaft 56 bincludes a metal target 56 d that is sensed by the proximity sensor 56c. The shaft 56 b extends through a bushing 43 held on the support plate43. A lower end of the shaft 56 b makes contact with a head of anadjustment screw 54 e threaded into the bent off leg 54 b. A spring 56 esurrounds an upper portion of the shaft 56 b and abuts a horizontalportion 56 f of the bracket 56 a. The spring thus urges the shaft intocontact with the adjustment screw 54 e. The bent off leg 54 b includesan up turned end 54 f that contacts the motor housing when the element54 is rotated counterclockwise (FIG. 45) to a maximum amount by thecylinder 55 corresponding to low or no level of food product to theright of the portion 54 a as seen in FIG. 45, or to left of the portion54 a as seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 45 shows the element 54 rotated to a maximum extent clockwisesubject to a high level of food product in the forward end 25 a of thehopper 25. The proximity target 56 d has passed the sensor 56 c totrigger a signal to the machine control 23 to turn off the conveyor 30.

When machine 20 is in operation, the feed screw motor 45 is energizedwhenever plunger 66 is withdrawn to the position shown in FIG. 2, sothat feed screw 51 supplies meat from hopper 25 downwardly throughoutlet 39 into one side of the intake 41 of the food pumping system 26.Similarly, motor 46 actuates the feed screws 52 to feed meat to theother side of intake 41 whenever plunger 68 of the pump 62 is withdrawn.In each instance, the feed screw motors 45, 46 are timed to shut offshortly after the plunger is fully retracted, avoiding excessiveagitation of the meat. As the supply of food material in the outlet 39is depleted, the conveyor belt 31 continuously moves food forwardly inthe hopper and into position to be engaged by the feed screws 51, 52. Ifthe level of meat at the outlet 39 becomes excessive, conveyor 30 isstopped, as described above, until the supply at the hopper outlet isagain depleted.

The wall of the outlet 39 immediately below conveyor drive rollers 36comprises a belt wiper plate 57 that continuously engages the surface ofthe conveyor belt 31 to prevent leakage of the food material 38 from thehopper at this point.

Food Pump System

The food pump system 26 of molding machine 20 is best illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 6. Pump system 26 comprises the two reciprocating food pumps61, 62 mounted within the machine base 21. The first food pump 61includes a hydraulic cylinder 64. The piston (not shown) in cylinder 64is connected to an elongated piston rod 67; the outer end of theelongated piston rod 67 is connected to the large plunger 66. Theplunger 66 is aligned with a first pump cavity 69 formed by a pumpcavity enclosure or pump housing 71. The forward wall 74 of pump cavity69 has a relatively narrow slot 73 that communicates with the valvemanifold 27 as described more fully hereinafter.

Preferably, the pump housing 71 and the valve manifold 27 are cast orotherwise formed as a one piece stainless steel part.

The second food pump 62 is essentially similar in construction to pump61 and comprises a hydraulic cylinder 84. Cylinder 84 has an elongatedpiston rod 87 connected to the large plunger 68 that is aligned with asecond pump cavity 89 formed in housing 71. The forward wall 94 of pumpcavity 89 includes a narrow elongated slot 93 communicating withmanifold 27.

Advantageously, the plungers 66, 68 and the pump cavities 69, 89 havecorresponding round cross sections for ease of manufacturing andcleaning.

An elongated proximity meter 75 is affixed to the first pump plunger 66and extends parallel to piston rod 67 into alignment with a pair ofproximity sensors 76 and 77. A similar proximity meter 95 is fixed toand projects from plunger 68, parallel to piston rod 87, in alignmentwith a pair of proximity sensors 96, 97. Proximity sensors 76, 77 and96, 97 comprise a part of the control of the two pumps 61, 62, shown inFIG. 15.

The meters 75, 95 and sensors 76, 77, 96, 97 monitor the plungerpositions in small, precise increments, such as every 0.25 inches. Themeters include teeth or other targets that are sensed by the sensors andcounted by machine electronics, such as in the controller 23, or inintervening electronics and communicated to the controller 23.

Two further proximity sensors 78, 98 responsive to targets on an insidefacing surfaces of the meters 75, 95 respectively, are provided whichcommunicate to the controller 23, or to intervening electronics thatcommunicate with the controller 23, the home position of the respectiveplunger which corresponds to a front end of each plunger being justinside, and sealed by a front ring seal 99 (FIG. 2) to the pump housing71. The home position of each plunger is used by the controller tocalibrate or set the machine position control of the plungers 66, 86.

In operation, the first pump 61 pumps the moldable food material intomanifold 27 and the second pump 62 receives a supply of the moldablefood material for a subsequent pumping operation. Pump 61 begins itspumping stroke, and compresses food product in pump cavity 69, forcingthe moldable food material through slot 73 into manifold 27. Asoperation of molding machine 20 continues, pump 61 advances plunger 66to compensate for the removal of food material through manifold 27. Thepump can maintain a constant pressure on the food material in the cavity69 during the molding cycle, or preferably can provide a pre-selectedpressure profile over the molding cycle such as described in U.S. Pat.No. 4,356,595, incorporated herein by reference, or as utilized incurrently available FORMAX machines. The pressure applied through pump61 is sensed by a pressure sensing switch 78 connected to a port of thecylinder 64.

As plunger 66 advances, the corresponding movement of proximity meter 75signals the sensor 76, indicating that plunger 66 is near the end of itspermitted range of travel. When this occurs, pump 62 is actuated toadvance plunger 68 through pump cavity 89, compressing the food materialin the second pump cavity in preparation for feeding the food materialfrom the cavity into manifold 27. The pressure applied through pump 62is sensed by a pressure sensing switch 79 connected to one port ofcylinder 84.

When the food in the second pump cavity 89 is under adequate pressure,the input to manifold 27 is modified so that subsequent feeding of foodproduct to the manifold is effected from the second pump cavity 89 withcontinuing advancement of plunger 68 of the second pump 62. After themanifold intake has been changed over, pump 61 is actuated to withdrawplunger 66 from cavity 69.

Thereafter, when plunger 68 is near the end of its pressure stroke intopump cavity 89, proximity sensor 96, signals the need to transferpumping operations to pump 61. The changeover process describedimmediately above is reversed; pump 61 begins its compression stroke,manifold 27 is changed over for intake from pump 61, and pump 62subsequently retracts plunger 68 back to the supply position to allow arefill of pump cavity 89. This overlapping alternating operation of thetwo pumps 61, 62 continues as long as molding machine 20 is inoperation.

The valve manifold 27, shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, holds a manifold valvecylinder or tube valve 101 fit into an opening 102 in housing 71immediately beyond the pump cavity walls 74 and 94.

According to one embodiment, valve cylinder 101 includes twolongitudinally displaced intake slots 107 and 108 alignable with theoutlet slots 73 and 93, respectively, in the pump cavity walls 74 and94. Slots 107 and 108 are angularly displaced from each other topreclude simultaneous communication between the manifold and both pumpcavities 69 and 89. Cylinder 101 also includes an elongated outlet slot109. The valve cylinder outlet slot 109 is generally aligned with a slot111 (see FIG. 9A) in housing 71 that constitutes a feed passage formolding mechanism 28.

One end wall of valve cylinder 101 includes an externally projectingbase end 103 that is connected to a drive linkage 104, which in turn isconnected to the end of the piston rod 105 of a hydraulic actuatorcylinder 106 (FIG. 2). Proximity sensors 106 a, 106 b communicate therotary position of the valve cylinder to the machine controller 23.

When the pump 61 is supplying food material under pressure to moldingmechanism 28, actuator cylinder 106 has retracted piston rod 105 to theinner limit of its travel, angularly orienting the manifold valvecylinder 101. With cylinder 101 in this position, its intake slot 107 isaligned with the outlet slot 73 from pump cavity 69 so that foodmaterial is forced under pressure from cavity 69 through the interior ofvalve cylinder 101 and out of the valve cylinder outlet slot 109 throughslot 111 to the molding mechanism 28. On the other hand, the secondintake slot 108 of valve cylinder 101 is displaced from the outlet slot93 for the second pump cavity 89. Consequently, the food material forcedinto the interior of valve cylinder 101 from pump cavity 69 cannot flowback into the other pump cavity 89.

Tube Valve System

FIG. 17 illustrates the tube valve 101 separate from the apparatus 20.The tube valve includes the base end 103 and a distal end 404. Thedistal end 404 is inserted first into the opening 102 of the housing 71during installation. The base end 103 includes an end flange 406 havingtwo tapped holes 408 for connection to the drive link 104 by fasteners409 a and spacers 409 b as shown in FIG. 24. The base end 103 furtherincludes a groove 410 for a ring seal 411, such as an O-ring or aD-ring, and a smooth annular surface 412 that is journaled within a baseend bearing or bushing 413 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13A.

The distal end 404 includes a reduced diameter guide portion 416 thatpositions a smooth annular surface 420 into a distal end bearing orbushing 421 as shown in FIG. 24. A ring seal 422, such as an O-ring orD-ring, is positioned within an inside groove 423 of the opening 182. Asmooth annular surface 424 of the distal end 404 engages and sealsagainst the ring seal 422 (FIG. 23).

As illustrated in FIG. 24A, both bushings 413, 421 include acrown-shaped profile having openings 425 spaced around a circumferentialsurface that abuts the manifold 27 when installed. Each bushing 413, 421include openings 426 for fasteners to fasten the bushings 413, 421 tothe manifold 27, and an inside circumferential grease groove 427 incommunication with a grease fitting 428.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, the linkage 104 includes a lever bar 429 thatis fastened to the base end 103 by the fasteners 409 a, and spacers 409b. The rod 105 includes an extension 105 a that has a square crosssection. The extension has a rectangular notch 105 b that is opentowards a back side of the lever bar 429.

A follower block 430 is rotatably connected to the back side of thelever bar 429 by a threaded shank 431 of a knob 432. In this regard, thefollower block 430 includes a block portion 433 a and a cylinder portion433 b having a threaded bore 434 to engage the shank 431. The lever bar429 includes a cylindrical bore 436 that receives the cylinder portion433 b. The cylinder portion 433 b is free to rotate in the bore 436.

The block portion 433 a is free to vertically slide within the notch 105b. Three positions of the block portion 433 a are shown in FIG. 14: 433a, 433 ab, 433 aa. Two positions of the lever bar 429 are shown: 429 and429 aa.

FIG. 18 illustrates the relative size and orientation of the inlet port108 with respect to the valve 101.

FIG. 19 illustrates the relative size and orientation of the inlet port107 with respect to the valve 101.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate the relative size and orientation of theoutlet port 109 with respect to valve 101.

FIG. 22 illustrates the respective rotary positions of the inlet ports107, 108 and the outlet port 109 around the circumference of the tubevalve 101. The ports 107, 108, 109 have angular expanses of 107A, 108A,and 109A respectively. Preferably, for a 4.4 inch diameter tube valve,given the reference angle 0 degrees shown in FIG. 22, the angularposition and expanse 107A is approximately between 205 degrees and 267degrees, the angular position and expanse 108A is approximately between134 degrees and 197 degrees, and the angular position and expanse 109Ais approximately between 0 degrees and 137 degrees. The sidewalls of theports are not all cut radially, in such cases the angles are taken atthe furthest radial point on the sidewall that defines the port.

FIGS. 46-52 illustrate a second embodiment tube valve 1601 and manifold527. FIG. 46 is taken generally along oblique line 46-46 of FIG. 47.FIG. 46 illustrates the valve manifold 527 and the pump chambers 69, 89of the pump housing 71 from above, taken from an angle. The mold plateand breather plate are removed in this figure so that the insidecavities of the valve manifold 527 and pump chambers 69, 89 are visible.Similar to the previously described embodiment, it is preferred that thepump housing 71 and the manifold 527 are formed as a unitary part.

The manifold 527 includes three oblong inlet openings 111 a, 111 b and111 c. The openings 111 a, 111 b and 111 c are substantially equal inopen area. The openings 111 a, 111 b, 111 c receive food material fromthe alternate embodiment tube valve 1601 shown in FIGS. 48-51.

FIG. 46 illustrates the pump chambers 69, 89 empty, i.e., there are noplungers 66, 68 shown. On a top surface 650 of the pump housing 71and/or manifold 527 there are three grooves or indentations 1652, 1654,1656 that communicate with bores or holes 1652 a, 1654 a, 1656 a,respectively.

As shown in FIG. 47, the first plunger 66 is in a position to begin afilling cycle of food material 660. A front face 1662 of the plunger 66includes a beveled region 1664 around beveled approximately 180°, arounda top edge of the plunger 66, constituting the upper portion of thecircumference of the plunger 66. This bevel is approximately 15° andacts to hold the plunger 66 down given the pressure of the food materialwithin the pump chamber.

The center groove 1654 on the top surface 1650 is shown dashed in FIG.47. The center groove 1654 extends from the bore 1654 a to an open area1654 b that is open to the hopper 25. The other grooves 1652, 1656 andbores 1652 a, 1656 a are similarly configured as that shown in FIG. 47for groove 1654 and bore 1654 a. These grooves 1652, 1656 have openareas 1652 b, 1656 b to the hopper 25.

FIG. 48-51 show the alternate tube valve 1601 in detail. The alternatetube valve 1601 is as described previously as the tube valve 101 exceptas herein distinguished. When the inlet port 107 is in registry with thepump chamber 69 there are three outlet ports 109 a, 109 b, 109 c thatare in registry with the openings 111 a, 111 b, 111 c, to pass foodmaterial 660 to the molding mechanism 28.

As can be seen in FIG. 48, the outlet port 109 a that is closest to theinlet port 107 has a smallest, most restrictive opening, the centeroutlet port 109 b has a slightly greater opening, and the far outletport 109 c has the greatest opening. This progressive tube valve outletopening arrangement, with the smallest outlet opening closest to thefeeding inlet to the tube valve, assists in equalizing the food productpressure across the width of the manifold 27 and molding mechanism 28. Amore even food product pressure allows for a more consistent density ofmolded products across a width of the mold plate.

As seen in FIG. 49, the tube valve is rotated so that the second inletport 108 is in registry with the second pump cavity 89. The tube valve1601 provides progressive openings 119 a, 119 b, 119 c that are smallestnear the inlet port 108 and largest at the opposite end of the tubevalve 1601, in mirror image reversal of the openings 109 a, 109 b, 109 cshown in FIG. 48. When the inlet port 108 is in registry with the pumpchamber 89, the three outlet ports 119 a, 119 b, 119 c are open to theopenings 111 a, 111 b, 111 c to pass food material 1660 to the moldingmechanism 28. This progressive tube valve outlet opening arrangement,with the smallest outlet opening closest to the feeding inlet to thetube valve, assists in equalizing the food product pressure across thewidth of the manifold 27 and molding mechanism 28. A more even foodproduct pressure allows for a more consistent density of molded productsacross a width of the mold plate.

It is also within the scope of the invention that the center ports 109b, 119 b and 111 b and 119 b be eliminated and that just two outletports 109 a, 109 c and 119 a, 119 c and corresponding two inlet ports111 a, 111 c be used. As described, the outlet ports 109 c, 119 c wouldbe larger than the outlet ports 109 a, 119 a.

FIG. 50 illustrates the tube valve rotated so the inlet port 107 and twosubstantially rectangular surface depressions 1710, 1712 can be seen.The depressions 1710, 1712 have a constant radial depth (preferablyabout 3/16″ deep) from the cylindrical surface of the tube valve 1601.The center surface depression 1710 is slightly longer than the endsurface depression 1712. When the first plunger 66 is in operation,pushing food product through the inlet port 107, the surface depressions1710, 1712 are in flow communication with the bores 1652 a, 1654 a, andthe grooves 1652, 1654.

FIG. 51 illustrates the tube valve rotated so the inlet port 108 and twosubstantially rectangular surface depressions 1810, 1812 can be seen.The depressions 1810, 1812 have a constant radial depth (preferablyabout 3/16″ deep) from the cylindrical surface of the tube valve 1601.The center surface depression 1810 is slightly longer than the endsurface depression 1812. When the second plunger 68 is operating,pushing food product through the inlet port 108, the surface depressions1810, 1812 are in flow communication with the bores 1654 a, 1656 a, andthe grooves 1654, 1656.

FIG. 52 shows the configuration of the tube valve 1601 when the inletport 107 is used. Rectangular recesses 1710, 1712, communicate with thebores 1652 a, 1654 a and the grooves 1652, 1654 to vent air to thehopper.

When reloading the pump box with product, the following occurs. Forexample, when reloading the pump cavity 89 for plunger 68, the plunger68 retracts and the feed screws rotate. The combination of the vacuumcreated by the plunger 68 withdrawing from the pumping chamber, and theturning screws, forces food product in front of the plunger 68. Theplunger is then advanced into the chamber 89 to initially compress thefood product before filling begins. As the plunger 68 advances to thepump chamber 89, there will be air inter-mixed with food product. Thisair must be removed before the plunger 68 starts its mold platecavity-filling cycle.

The plunger 68 advances to compress the reloaded product, while theplunger 66 continues to feed food product through the full open port 107in the tube valve 601. The tube valve 601 is blocking the plunger 68from feeding the food product into the manifold 527; however the grooves1710, 1712 communicate with bores 1652 a, 1654 a in the pump box ormanifold 527. Grooves 1652, 1654 on the manifold and pump housing topsurface 1650 allow air (but not product) from the pump chamber 89 toescape back to the hopper, during initial compression of the foodproduct within the pump chamber 89 against the tube valve 1601.

The process alternates with the tube valve rotational shift of about 70degrees, to change the active plunger 66, 68.

As a further feature of the invention, a plurality of breather holes1902 are provided at each longitudinal end of the tube valve, throughthe tube valve wall. The breather holes 1902 are in communication withan inside of the tube valve and to an outside circumferential groove1906 a, 1906 b respectively that is in communication with thedepressions 1712, 1812 respectively. Thus, air trapped at either endwithin the tube valve can be expressed back to the collection area, thehopper, via the breather holes 1902, the grooves 1906 a, 1906 b and thedepressions 1712, 1812.

Molding Mechanism

As best illustrated in FIG. 9A, the upper surface of the housing 71 thatencloses the pump cavities 69 and 89 and the manifold 27 carries asupport plate or wear plate 121 and a fill plate 121 a that forms aflat, smooth mold plate support surface. The mold support plate 121 andthe fill plate 121 a may be fabricated as two plates as shown, or asingle plate bolted to or otherwise fixedly mounted upon housing 71. Thefill plate 121 a includes apertures or slots that form the upper portionof the manifold outlet passage 111. In the apparatus illustrated, amulti fill orifice type fill plate 121 a is utilized. A simple slottedfill plate is also encompassed by the invention.

Mold plate 32 is supported upon plates 121, 121 a. Mold plate 32includes a plurality of individual mold cavities 126 extending acrossthe width of the mold plate and alignable with the manifold outletpassageway 111. Although a single row of cavities is shown, it is alsoencompassed by the invention to provide plural rows of cavities, stackedin aligned columns or in staggered columns. A cover plate 122 isdisposed immediately above mold plate 32, closing off the top of each ofthe mold cavities 126. A mold cover casting or housing 123 is mountedupon cover plate 122. The spacing between cover plate 122 and supportplate 121 is maintained equal to the thickness of mold plate 32 bysupport spacers 124 mounted upon support plate 121. Cover plate 122rests upon spacers 124 when the molding mechanism is assembled foroperation. Cover plate 122 and mold cover 123 are held in place by sixmounting bolts, or nuts tightened on studs, 125.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6, and 53 mold plate 32 is connected todrive rods 128 that extend alongside housing 71 and are connected at oneend to a transverse bar 129. The other end of each drive rod 128 ispivotally connected to a connecting link 131 via a coupling plate 131 aand a pivot connection 131 c, shown in FIG. 29. The pivot connection 131c can include a bearing (not visible in the figures) surrounding a pin131 d within an apertured end 131 e of the connecting link 131. The pin131 d includes a cap, or carries a threaded nut, on each opposite end tosecure the crank arm to the coupling plate 131 a.

Each drive rod 128 is carried within a guide tube 132 that is fixedbetween a wall 134 and a front bearing housing 133. The connecting links131 are each pivotally connected to a crank arm 142 via a pin 141 thatis journalled by a bearing 141 a that is fit within an end portion ofthe connecting link 131. The pin crank arm 142 is fixed to, and rotateswith, a circular guard plate 135. The pin 141 has a cap, or carries athreaded nut, on each opposite end that axially fixes the connectinglink 131 to the crank arm 142 and the circular guard plate 135.

The connecting link 131 also includes a threaded portion 131 b to finelyadjust the connecting link length.

The crank arms 142 are each driven by a right angle gear box 136 via a“T” gear box 137 having one input that is driven by a precise positioncontrolled motor 138 and two outputs to the gearboxes 136. The “T” gearbox 137 and the right angle gear boxes 136 are configured such that thecrank arms 142 rotate in opposite directions at the same rotary speed.

The precise position controlled motor can be a 6-7.5 HP totally enclosedfan cooled servo motor. The servo motor is provided with two modules: apower amplifier that drives the servo motor, and a servo controller thatcommunicates precise position information to the machine controller 23.

The controller 23 and the servo motor 138 are preferably configured suchthat the servo motor rotates in an opposite rotary direction everycycle, i.e., clockwise during one cycle, counterclockwise the nextcycle, clockwise the next cycle, etc.

A bearing housing 143 is supported on each gearbox 136 and includes arotary bearing 143 a therein to journal an output shaft 136 a of thegear box 136. The output shaft 136 a is fixed to the crank arm 142 by aclamp arrangement formed by legs of the crank arm 142 that surround theoutput shaft and have fasteners that draw the legs together to clamp theoutput shaft between the legs (not shown), and a longitudinal key (notshown) fit into a keyway 136 b on the output shaft and a correspondingkeyway in the crank arm 142 (not shown).

A tie bar 139 is connected between the rods 128 to ensure a parallelreciprocation of the rods 128. As the crank arms 142 rotate in oppositerotational directions, the outward centrifugal force caused by therotation of the crank arms 142 and the eccentric weight of the attachedlinks 131 cancels, and separation force is taken up by tension in thetie bar 139.

One circular guard plate 135 is fastened on top of each crank arm 142.The pin 141 can act as a shear pin. If the mold plate should strike ahard obstruction, the shear pin can shear by force of the crank arm 142.The guard plate 135 prevents an end of the link 131 from dropping intothe path of the crank arm 142.

The drive mechanism of the mold plate is easily reconfigured to changestroke length of different mold plates. For example, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or11 inch stroke lengths are practically achievable with the apparatus bychanging parts, such as the parts 131, 135, 142.

FIG. 53 illustrates a proximity sensor 144 in communication with themachine control. A target 144 a is clamped onto an extension 136 d ofthe rotating shaft 136 a. The proximity sensor 144 communicates to thecontroller 23 that the crank arm 142 is at a particular rotary positioncorresponding to the mold plate 32 being at a preselected position.Preferably, the proximity sensor 144 can be arranged to signal to thecontroller that the crank arm 142 is in the most forward position,corresponding to the mold plate 32 being in the knockout position. Thesignal confirms to the controller that the knockout cups 33 can besafely lowered to discharge patties, without interfering with the moldplate 32.

During a molding operation, the molding mechanism 28 is assembled asshown in FIGS. 2 and 9A, with cover plate 122 tightly clamped ontospacers 124.

In each cycle of operation, knockout cups 33 are first withdrawn to theelevated position as shown in FIG. 9F. The drive for mold plate 32 thenslides the mold plate from the full extended position to the moldfilling position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 9A, with the mold cavities126 aligned with passageway 111.

During most of each cycle of operation of mold plate 32, the knockoutmechanism remains in the elevated position, shown in FIG. 9A, withknockout cups 33 clear of mold plate 32. When mold plate 32 reaches itsextended discharge position as shown in FIG. 9F the knockout cups 33 aredriven downward to discharge the patties from the mold cavities.

The discharged patties may be picked up by the conveyor 29 or may beaccumulated in a stacker. If desired, the discharged patties may beinterleaved with paper, by an appropriate paper interleaving device.Such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,478, or U.S. Ser. No.60/540,022, filed on Jan. 27, 2004, both incorporated herein byreference. In fact, machine 20 may be used with a wide variety ofsecondary equipment, including steak folders, bird rollers, and othersuch equipment.

By using a servo motor to drive the mold plate, the mold plate motioncan be precisely controlled. The motion can have a fully programmabledwell, fill time, and advance and retract speeds.

FIG. 59 illustrates one motion profile P1 for the movement of the moldplate 32 that is precisely controlled by the servomotor 138 andcontroller 23. The mold plate position (any point on the mold plate) isshown as a function of time between the most retracted position, thefill position, and the forward most extended position, the knockoutposition. The profile P1 of FIG. 59 shows a rather sharp turn around atthe fill position, with little or no mold plate stopping, or dwellperiod. At the knockout position, there is a dwell period to allow theknockout cups to descend into the mold plate cavities to displace theformed patties from the cavities.

On the same graph a knockout cup movement profile P2 is depicted,wherein the knockout cups are lowered and raised during a segment oftime t1 that is within the dwell period of the mold plate stopped in theknockout position.

FIGS. 60-63 illustrate one cycle of different mold plate motion profilesthat can be programmed by the controller 23 and the drive for theservomotor 138. The profile P3 in FIG. 60 is appropriate for a moldplate stroke speed of 100 cycles/minute and a knockout dwell period of0.088 seconds. The profile P3 shows little or no filling dwell period;adequate filling can occur during retraction and/or advancement of themold plate before and after the fill position. The profile would be fora food product material that is soft, easily flowable, and possiblywarm.

FIG. 61 illustrates a profile P4 that is appropriate for a mold platestroke speed of 100 cycles/minute and a cold, stiff or viscous productthat requires a dwell period at the fill position to adequately fill thecavities.

FIG. 62 illustrates a profile P5 appropriate for easily flowable foodproduct and a mold plate stroke speed of 120 cycles/minute.

FIG. 63 illustrates a profile P6 appropriate for viscous product thatrequires a dwell period at the fill position to adequately fill thecavities, and a mold plate stroke speed of 120 cycles/minute.

All of the profiles P3-P6 are for a 9 inch mold plate stroke length andallow for a 0.088 second knockout period. The different motion profilesfor mold plate movements illustrated in FIG. 31-34 can be selected by anoperator via the input screen 19 and the controller 23.

Lubricating Oil System

FIG. 34 illustrates a mold drive rod lubricating system 1000incorporated into the apparatus 20. The lubrication system 1000 includesfront bearings 1002 and rear bearings 1002 for each drive rod 128. Thelocation of the bearings is shown in FIG. 6.

A pump 1008 takes suction from reservoir 1010 holding lubricating oil1012. A motor 1016 being either an electric, hydraulic, pneumatic orother type motor, drives the pump. The pump circulates lubricating oilthrough tubing and/or passages through the machine base area to thebearings 1002, 1004 and returns the lubricating oil through a filter1022 to the reservoir. The pump, motor, reservoir and filter are alllocated within the machine base 21.

FIG. 35 illustrates a front bearing 1002. The other front bearing andthe rear bearings 1004 are configured in substantially identical manner.The front bearing 1002 includes a housing 1032 having an internal bore1036 for holding a sleeve bearing element 1038. The sleeve bearingelement 1038 has an inside surface sized to guide the drive rod 128 andhas a helical groove 1042 facing and surrounding the drive rod 128. Anoil inlet port 1050 communicates lubricating oil into an open end of thehelical groove. Lubricating oil proceeds through the helical groove toan opposite end of the bearing element 1038 to a first outlet groove1052 in communication with a second outlet groove 1054 through alongitudinal channel (not shown). The second outlet groove 1054 is incommunication with an outlet port 1056. The inlet port 1050 is in fluidcommunication with the pump 1008 and the outlet port 1056 is in fluidcommunication with the oil return lines to the filter 1022. A front seal1060 and a rear seal 1062 retain oil within the housing 1032.

Knock Out System

Molding mechanism 28 further comprises a knockout apparatus 140 shown inFIGS. 2, 9A, 13-14, and 54A-54B. The knockout apparatus comprises theknockout cups 33, which are fixed to a carrier bar 145. Knockout cups 33are coordinated in number and size to the mold cavities 126 in moldplate 32. One knockout cup 33 aligned with each mold cavity 126. Themold cavity size is somewhat greater than the size of an individualknockout cup.

The knockout apparatus 140 is configured to drive the carrier bar 145 intimed vertical reciprocation.

FIGS. 13-14, and 54A-54B illustrate the knockout apparatus 140 in moredetail. The carrier bar 145 is fastened to knockout support brackets 146a, 146 b. The knockout support brackets 146 a, 146 b are mounted to twoknockout rods 147. Each knockout rod 147 penetrates through a sidewallof a housing 148 and is connected to a knockout beam 149.

The knockout beam 149 is pivotally mounted to a crank rod 151 that ispivotally connected to a fastener pin 156 that is eccentricallyconnected to a crank hub 155 that is driven by a motor 157.

The motor 157 is preferably a precise position controlled motor, such asa servo motor. An exemplary servomotor for this application is a 3000RPM, 2.6 kW servo motor provided with a brake. The servo motor isprovided with two modules: a power amplifier that drives the servomotor, and a servo controller that communicates precise positioninformation to the machine controller 23.

The controller 23 and the motor 157 are preferably configured such thatthe motor rotates in an opposite direction every cycle, i.e., clockwiseduring one cycle, counterclockwise the next cycle, clockwise the nextcycle, etc.

A heating element 160 surrounds, and is slightly elevated from theknockout carrier bar 145. A reflector 161 is mounted above the heatingelement 160. The heating element heats the knock out cups to apre-selected temperature, which assists in preventing food product fromsticking to the knock out cups.

In FIGS. 13-14 the crank hub 155 is rotated into a position wherein thecrank rod 151 is vertically oriented and the knockout beam 149 is liftedto its maximum elevation. The knockout rods are fastened to the knockoutbeam 149 by fasteners 152. The knockout support brackets 146 a, 146 bare in turn fastened to the knockout rods 147 by fasteners 153. Eachknockout cup 33 is fastened to the knockout carrier bar by a pair offasteners 154 a and spacers 154 b. An air flap or air check valve 33 acan be provided within each cup to assist in dispensing of a meat pattyfrom the cup 33.

As shown in FIG. 14, the motor 157 is supported by a bracket 170 from aframe member 172 that is mounted to the mold cover casting 123. Thebracket 170 includes one or more slotted holes, elongated in thelongitudinal direction (not shown). One or more fasteners 173 penetrateeach slotted hole and adjustably fix the motor 157 to the frame member.The motor 157 includes an output shaft 176 that is keyed to a base endof the crank hub 155. The fastener pin 156 retains a roller bearing 178thereon to provide a low friction rotary connection between an annularbase end 151 a of the crank rod 151 and the pin 156.

The crank rod 151 has an apertured end portion 179 on an upper distalend 151 b opposite the base end 151 a. The apertured end portion 179 isheld by a fastener pin assembly 180 through its aperture to a yoke 182.The yoke 182 is fastened to the knockout beam 149 using fasteners. Thecrank rod 151 is length adjustable. The fastener pin assembly 180 caninclude a roller or sleeve bearing (not shown) in like fashion as thatused with the fastener pin 156 to provide a reduced friction pivotconnection.

The housing 148 is a substantially sealed housing that provides an oilbath. Preferably, the housing walls and floor is formed as a castaluminum part. The crank hub 155, the pin 156, roller bearing 178, theapertured end portion 179, the fastener pin 180 and the yoke 182 are allcontained within the oil bath having an oil level 183. The limits of theoil bath are defined by a housing 184 having a front wall 185, a rearwall 186, side walls 187, 188, a top wall 189 and a sleeve 190. Thesleeve 190 is a square tube that surrounds a substantial portion of thecrank rod 151 and is sealed around its perimeter to the top wall 189 bya seal element 196 a. The sleeve 190 is connected to the beam 149 andpenetrates below the top wall 189. As the yoke 182 reciprocatesvertically, the beam 149 and the sleeve 190 reciprocate vertically, thesleeve 190 maintaining a sealed integrity of the oil bath.

The crank rod 151 includes side dished areas 151 a that act to scoop andpropel oil upward during rotation of the hub 155 to lubricate the pin180 and surrounding areas.

The knockout rods 147 are guided to reciprocate through the side walls187, 188, particularly, through upper and lower bearings 191 a, 191 b.The rods 147 are sealed to the top wall by seals 192. The bearings 191 acan include an internal groove 193 that is in flow-communication with alubricant supply through port 194.

A lubricant system 194 a is provided to provide lubricant to thebearings 191 a, 191 b. The system 194 a includes a lubricant reservoir194 b that is filled with lubricant, such as oil, and connected to plantair 194 c via an electronically controlled valve 194 d. The machinecontroller 23 periodically, according to a preset routine, actuates thevalve 194 d to propel some lubricant into the bearings 191 a. Lubricantcan run down the knockout rod 147 into a dished top 191 c of the lowerbearings 191 b to allow oil to penetrate between the knockout rods 147and the lower bearings 191 b.

An outer cover 195 is fastened and sealed around the side walls 187, 188and front and rear walls 185, 186 by fasteners, spacers 196 and a seal197. Any lubricating oil that passes through the seal can be returned tothe oil bath via dished out drain areas and drain ports through the topwall.

The front wall 185 includes an oil level sight glass 185 a, a fill port185 b (shown dashed in FIG. 13), a drain port 185 c (FIG. 14); and anaccess hole closed by a screw 185 d (FIG. 14).

The crank hub 155 is journaled for rotation by two roller bearings 198,199. The roller bearings 198, 199 are supported by a collar assembly 200bolted to the rear wall 186 and to the motor 157.

The housing 148 is fastened to a support plate 201 by fasteners 201 a.The support plate 201 is fastened to circular adapter plates 201 b byfasteners 201 c. The circular adapter plates 201 b are removably fitinto circular holes 201 d in the casting 123. The circular adapterplates 201 b include a bottom flange 201 e which abuts the casting 123.The circular adapter plates 201 b surround the bearings 191 b andassociated bearing assembly 191 c.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the left bracket 146 a is fixedly connected to theleft knockout rod 147 using the fastener 153 while the right bracket 146b is connected for a sliding connection. In this regard the rightfastener 153 passes through an inverted T-nut 153 a that passes throughthe bracket 146 b and fits into a back up washer 153 b that abuts thetop side of the bracket 146 b. The bracket 146 b includes an oversizedopening in the lateral direction that allows the bracket 146 b to shiftlaterally with respect to the T-nut and knockout rod 147. Thisarrangement allows the bar 145 to expand and contract laterally withrespect to the knockout rods 147. When the knockout cups 33 are heatedby the heating element 160, the carrier bar 145 can become heated aswell. Preferably, the carrier bar 145 is composed of aluminum which canexpand to a significant degree. The sliding connection of the bracket146 b accommodates this thermal expansion.

The knockout assembly is changeable to extend further forwardly tominimize knockout cup cantilever and stress in supporting members. Thisis accomplished by loosening the bracket 170 from the frame member 172and sliding the motor 157 and the connected parts forward or rearwardand replacing the circular adapter plates that guide the knockout rods147.

As demonstrated in FIGS. 54A and 54B, to change the longitudinalposition of the knockout cups 33, the support plate 201 is shiftedlongitudinally. Replacement circular adapter plates 201 bb are fit intothe casting 123 from below. The replacement circular adapter plates 201bb include different hole patterns for the knockout rods 147, forwardlyor rearwardly shifted, to accommodate the new position of the supportplate 201.

A proximity sensor 202 is bolted to the outer cover 195, and a target203 is provided on the crank beam 149 to be sensed by the proximitysensor 202. The proximity sensor 202 communicates to the controller 23that the knockout cups are raised and the mold plate can be retractedwithout interfering with the knockout cups.

The movement of the knock out cups is fully programmable for differentmotion profiles, including dwell, accelerations and extend and retractspeeds. Such motion profiles may be useful depending on the propertiesof the food product to be discharged from the mold plate cavities.Because both the mold plate and the knock out cups can be driven byprogrammably controlled servo motors, they can be flexibly sequencedwithout being restricted in motion by a common mechanical system.

Auxiliary Pump System for Air and Fines from the Breather System

FIGS. 9A through 12 and 36-41 illustrate another aspect of theinvention. According to this aspect, the mold plate 32 includes twoends, a forward end 202 and a rearward end 204. The cavities 126 arelocated at a central position between the ends 202, 204. Elongatedconnection recesses 208 are located at a rearward position, near therearward end 204. Relief recesses 209 are located between the connectionrecesses 208 and the cavities 126. In FIG. 9A the mold plate 32 is in afill position, fully retracted toward the rear. The cover plate orbreather plate 122 includes breather holes 216 that are in aircommunication with the cavities 126 while the mold plate is in the fillposition.

The holes 216 are in communication with a top side air channel in theform of a dished region 220 of the cover plate 122. The dished region220 includes branch regions 222 that extend forwardly. The branchregions 222 are in air communication with an antilip channel 230 open ona bottom side of the cover plate 122, through narrow apertures 234.

On a rearward portion of the dished region 220 are recesses 237 that arein communication with through holes 238 that extend through thethickness of the cover plate 122. In the mold plate position of FIG. 9A,the through holes 238 are open into the elongated connection recesses208.

On a rearward portion of the cover plate 122 is a bottom side recess 242that is in communication with an overhead valve passage 246 that can beclosed by action of a valve 250, particularly by action of a valveelement 252 of the valve 250. The valve element 252 is in the openposition as shown in FIG. 9A. The valve element is movable within avalve chamber 258 formed into a bottom side of the mold cover 123.

The valve chamber 258 extends laterally and is flow connected to twothrough bores 264, 266 that each extend through the cover plate 122, thespacer 124, the top plate 121, and an insert plate 270 fit on a recess272 of the pump housing 71. The recess 272 is open into the pump inlet39.

In the position shown in FIG. 9A, the cavities are filled through aplurality of fill apertures or slots 121 b through fill plate 121 a (seeFIG. 38 as an example of fill apertures) fastened to the pump housing71. The mold plate 32 is beginning its forward travel, driven by thedrive rods 128 via the link 129. The valve element 252 is up; the valve250 is open.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, when the connection recess 208 is no longerin communication with the bottom side recess 242, the moving end 204 ofthe plate 32 creates a suction chamber 280S formed between the spacer124, the end 204, the breather plate 122 and the top plate 121. Theelement 252 is drawn down by the suction to close the valve passage 246.

In the position of the mold plate shown in FIG. 9C, the cavities 126have moved into a position to be relieved in pressure by the antilipslot 230, any expansion of the patties is cut as the patties pass underthe antilip bar 231. Further suction is drawn in the chamber 280 bymovement of the end 204.

As shown in FIG. 9D, maximum suction is developed at this point in thechamber 280S by movement of the end 204.

As shown in FIG. 9E, the end 204 has passed under the through hole 238.The suction chamber 280 draws air and meat fines from the chambers andrecesses 230, 234, 222, 220, 237, 238 into the suction chamber 280S.

FIG. 9F illustrates the mold plate 32 in its discharge position. Therelief recesses 209 open the antilip channel 230 to outside air. Outsideair flushes through the series of recesses and other passages identifiedas 209, 230, 234, 222, 220, 237, and 238 and into the suction chamber280S under influence of a vacuum present in the suction chamber 280S.The pressure in the suction chamber 280S and the connected chambers andpassages 238, 237, 220, 222, 234, 230 is increased to atmosphericpressure. The valve element 252 is then elevated and the valve 250 isthen open.

FIG. 9G illustrates the patty has been discharged by downward movementof the cup 33, which subsequently has been elevated. The patty has beendeposited onto the conveyor. The mold plate 32 begins a rearwardmovement. The suction chamber 280 now becomes a compression or pumpchamber 280P. Any air or meat fines drawn into the suction chamber 280Scan now be transported by positive pressure or pumping action of thepump chamber 280P through the open valve 250 and into the pump inlet 39as now described.

FIG. 9H illustrates that for a brief time during the return stroke ofthe mold plate, the mold plate moved a small amount to the left of theposition shown in FIG. 9H, the moving end 204 will pump air rearwardthrough the pump chamber 280P and forward through the passages 238, 237,220, 222, 234, 230, 126 to atmosphere. However the latter forward pathis more restrictive than the rearward path so little flows in thisdirection. Most air and fines are pumped through the chamber 280P,through the recess 242, through the valve passage 246, through therecess 258, through the bores 264 and 266, through the recess 272 andinto the pump inlet 39.

FIG. 9I illustrates that the end 204 has passed the passage 238 and thusall of the air and fines in the pump chamber 280P must pass rearwardtoward the pump inlet 39.

FIG. 9J illustrates the cavities 126 become open to the fill slots 121 bof the fill plate 121 a wherein the cavities begin to fill with meatunder pressure. The pump chamber is continuously reduced in volume asthe end 204 proceeds rearward. The valve 250 is still open.

FIG. 9K illustrates a late stage of movement of the mold plate 32. Thecavities 126 are continuing to be filled. The meat, under pressureforces air and meat fines through the apertures 216 into the chambers220, 222, 237, 238, 208. The valve 250 remains open wherein the moldplate reaches the position of FIG. 9A, the air and meat fines can exitthe chambers 220, 222, 237, 238, 208 by virtue of the recess 208 beingin air flow communication with the recess 242 and the passages 246, 258,264, 266, 272 and 39.

Although a single row of cavities is shown in the mold plate 32 in FIGS.10A-11B, 14 and 15, it is encompassed by the invention to providemultiple rows of cavities, in straight or staggered columns, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,454,559; 6,517,340; 4,872,241; 6,572,360;and/or 3,747,160; or international patent publications WO 01/41575and/or WO 02/102166, all herein incorporated by reference.

FIGS. 36-38 illustrate alternate mold plates 1232, 1234, 1236 havingsimilar mold plate features as described above, but having two rows ofcavities 1238 in staggered columns. In FIGS. 36 and 37 the cavities arefilled by individual fill slots 1242 below the mold plates 1232, 1234.In FIG. 38, the cavities 1238 are filled by a plurality of fillapertures 1250 in registry with the cavities 1238. The apertures 1252that are not in registry with the cavities are shown but are not drilledthrough the plate 1236.

Furthermore, the apparatus 20 can also have, in conjunction with themold plate and fill plate arrangements, a stripper or seal off mechanismsuch as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,821,376; 4,697,308; and/or4,372,008, all herein incorporated by reference, or as available oncurrent FORMAX F-26 machines.

FIGS. 39-41 illustrates an alternate valve arrangement than describedwith regard to FIG. 12. The porting of the valve elements 252 remainsthe same. The mechanism for opening and closing the valve elements 252is modified. The sectional view is broken along its vertical centerlineCL to show two valves 1290 with elements 252 lowered, and closed, to theleft of the centerline CL, and two valves 1290 with elements 252 raised,and opened, shown to the right of the centerline CL. It should beunderstood however that in operation all four valve elementsraise-and-lower together to open and close the valves.

The valves 1290 are mounted on a support bar 1300. The valves 1290 aremounted to the bar by a threaded adjustment mechanism 1304. Theadjustment mechanism includes a handle 1306 locked onto a threaded shaft1308 that is threaded into a valve stem assembly 1310 such that when thethreaded shaft 1308 is turned by the handle 1306, the threaded shaftselectively raises or lowers the valve element 252 by precise amounts toset valve clearance and to ensure that the valves seat at the same timegiven their common movement. The valve stem assembly includes a ringseal 1311 to seal against a stationary sleeve 1312 of the valve 1290.

The support bar 1300 is supported on two rods 1320, 1322. A crossbar1326 spans between the rods 1320, 1322 and is fastened thereto. Abracket 1330 is supported on a machine wall 1336. A pair of pneumaticcylinders 1342, 1344 are fixed to the bracket 1330 and have actuationrods or piston rods 1348, 1350 fixed to the crossbar 1326. When the rods1348, 1350 extend together from the cylinders 1342, 1344, the crossbar1326 raises the rods 1320, 1322, which raises the support bar 1300,which raises the valve stems 1310 and the valve elements 252. This opensthe valves 1290.

Contracting the rods 1348, 1350 into the cylinders 1342, 1344 has theopposite effect, lowering the valve elements 252 and closing the valves1290.

The pneumatic cylinders 1342, 1344 are signal-connected via pneumatictubing and electronics to the machine controller that can preciselycontrol the raising and lowering of the valve element to be synchronizedwith the mold plate movements. The valve element can be positivelyraised and lowers according to a precisely controlled timing sequencerather than being controlled by vacuum or positive pressure in thesuction chamber or pump chamber.

FIG. 15 illustrates in schematic form, the control system of the presentinvention. The machine controller 23 can be programmed to control theservo motor drives 138, 157 and the pneumatic cylinders 1342, 1344, viathe interface 1345, to be properly sequenced to coordinate the movementsof the knockout cups and the valves 1290 with the movement and positionof the mold plate 32. The controller can be pre-programmed, orprogrammed through the control panel 19, to control the mold plateaccelerations, decelerations, advance and retract speeds, and dwelldurations. These mold plate movement parameters can be selecteddepending on the particular product being molded, the characteristics ofthe food material, the selected production output rate of the machine,or other factors. The controller can control the advance and retractspeeds, the accelerations and decelerations, and the dwell durations ofthe knock out cups 33 as well. These knock out cup movement parameterscan be selected depending on the particular product being molded, thecharacteristics of the food material, the selected production outputrate of the machine, or other factors. The controller can havepre-programmed routines for a selectable product and output rate thatare selectable via the control panel 19 that sets and coordinates themold plate 32 movements, the knock out cup 33 movements and the valve1290 movements.

The controller also controls the operation of the hydraulic cylinders64, 84 to control the food pumps 61, 62.

Machine Frame System

The preferred embodiment apparatus 20 of the present invention utilizesan exemplary frame 500 as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 5-8 and 26-28,42-43, and 56-58.

The frame 500 includes a thick base plate 21 a. The base plate 21 acomprises a stainless steel plate, ½ inch thick. Two rear anchors 506 a,506 b and two forward anchors 508 a, 508 b are fastened to the baseplate 21 a with fasteners 507 a and keys 507 b, in a rectangularpattern. The base plate 21 a and the anchors have recesses or keyways toreceive the keys 507 b.

Two rear struts 510 a, 510 b extend obliquely forward in parallel fromthe rear anchors 506 a, 506 b and are fastened thereto using fastenersand shims. Two forward struts 510 a, 510 b extend obliquely rearward inparallel from the front anchors 508 a, 508 b and are fastened theretousing fasteners and shims.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 26, 28, and 56 each rear strut 510 a, 510 bcomprises a rectangular tube column 510 c having a plate flange 510 d,510 e welded to each end thereof. The tube columns preferably have 3inch by 2 inch by ¼ inch thick cross sections. The bottom plate flange510 d is fastened to the respective anchor 506 a, 506 b using fastenersand shims. Each anchor includes a central stud threaded into the anchorand abutting the respective base plate and used for positioning andspacing the bottom flange 510 d so that the shims may be installedbefore the strut is fastened to the anchor. The top plate flange 510 eis fastened to a vertical backing plate 516 using fasteners 507 a and akey 507 b fit into keyways in the flange 510 e and the backing plate516.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 56, each of forward struts 512 a, 512 bcomprises a rectangular tube column 512 c having a plate flange 512 dwelded to each bottom end thereof and a block flange 512 e welded toeach top end thereof. The tube columns preferably have 3 inch by 2 inchby ¼ inch thick cross sections. Each bottom plate flange 512 d isfastened to a respective anchor 508 a, 508 b. The top block flanges 512e, 512 e are fastened to a respective connection block 520 a, 520 b, bya tie rod 522 a, 522 b that is threaded into the respective block flange512 e. The connection blocks 520 a, 520 b are fastened to the manifold27.

The tie rods 522 a, 522 b are surrounded by respective surroundingsleeves or spacers 524 a, 524 b located between respective connectionblock 520 a, 520 b and the vertical backing plate 516. The tie rod 522a, 522 b are tensioned by nuts 525 a, 525 b via tie backing blocks 526a, 526 b. The spacers 524 a, 524 b are compressed between the connectionblocks 520 a, 520 b and the backing plate 516 when the nuts 525 a, 525 bare tightened.

The tie rods 522 a, 522 b are preferably ¼ inch in diameter and thespacers are 2¾ inch in outside diameter.

The connection blocks 520 a, 520 b are supported by internal columns 530a, 530 b that are fastened to the base plate 21 a (FIGS. 2 and 13) andthe block flanges 512 e. The internal columns 530 a, 530 b arepreferably square tubes having a 2 inch by 2 inch by ¼ inch thick crosssection. The vertical backing plate 516 is supported by a wall 532provided within the machine base 21. The plate 516 is fastened to thewall 532.

A pair of columns 531 a, 531 b supports the manifold 27 at a front ofthe machine (FIGS. 2, 8, and 58). The columns are formed by tie rods 531c surrounded by tubular spacers 531 d. The tie rods 531 c are fastenedto the anchors 508 a, 508 b using nuts 531 e. The upper end of the tierod can be threaded into the manifold 27. The tubular spacer iscompressed between the manifold 27 and the respective anchor 508 a, 508b when the nuts 531 e are tightened.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, three more tie rods, with associated spacersor sleeves are used. Two top level tie rods 532 a, 532 b, surrounded byspacers or sleeves 536 a, 536 b, and located laterally outside the pumpcavities 69, 89 are threaded into threaded bores in the pump housing 71.The tie rods 532 a, 532 b are tensioned with nuts 537 a, 537 b on a rearside of backing plate 516, via the backing blocks 526 a, 526 b. Acentral tie rod 540 surrounded by a spacer or sleeve 542 and locatedlaterally between the pump cavities 69, 89 is threaded into a threadedbore in the pump housing 71 and is tensioned by a nut 543 and washerpressed directly against the backing plate 516.

The tie rods, when tensioned, compress the spacers or sleeves 525 a, 525b, 536 a, 536 b and 542 tightly between the backing plate 516 and thepump housing 71 and the connection blocks 520 a, 520 b which arefastened to, or formed as part of the manifold housing 71.

The tie rods 532 a, 532 b, 540 have a diameter of 1¼ inch and thespacers 536 a, 536 b and 542 have a 2¾ inch outside diameter.

The hydraulic cylinders 64, 84 have front flanges 64 a, 84 a bolted tothe backing plate 516 via two reinforcing washer plates 548 a, 548 b.Thus, when one of the hydraulic cylinders 64, 84 drives the respectivepiston 66, 68 into the pump cavity 69, 89 to pressurize the food producttherein, a reaction force is created that tends to separate the backingplate 516 from the pump housing 71. The five tie rods oppose thisreaction force by tension in the tie rods. Because the tie rods take upthis reaction force, instead of the machine frame, the associated stresswithin the machine frame is reduced, or eliminated.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the T gear box 137 is supported from apedestal 568 on a support plate 570. The right angle gearboxes 136 arealso supported from pedestals 569 fastened to the plate 570 (FIG. 29).The support plate 570 is fastened to a bottom of two verticallyoriented, parallel, longitudinally arranged plates 571, 572. The plates571, 572 are supported at a rear by being fastened to a crossbeam 574that is supported by sidewalls of the machine base 21.

The longitudinally arranged plates 571, 572 are laterally braced by across brace 577. The plates 571, 572 extend to the backing plate 516 andare fastened thereto by being fastened to the backing blocks 526 a, 526b respectively by fasteners 573, locating pins 573 a, and keys 573 b fitinto corresponding keyways in the blocks 526 a, 526 b and the plates571, 572 (FIG. 57).

According to the preferred embodiment, the backing plate 516 has athickness of 1¼ inches. The plates 571, 572 can have thicknesses of ¾inches and heights of 13¼ inches. The support plate 570 can have athickness of 1¼ inches.

For additional rigidity, the bearing housings 143 that are located aboveeach right angle gear box 136, are connected by pre-stressed tie rods580 a, 580 b to the backing plate 516. The tie rods 580 a, 580 b arethreaded into tapped holes in the backing plate 516 and secured to eachrespective housing 143 by a nut 581. A vertical, rectangular opening 143d is provided through each bearing housing 143 to access the nuts 581(FIG. 29). Each nut 581 is threaded onto an end of one rod 580 a, 580 band tightened against the respective bearing housing 143. The tie rods580 a, 580 b are surrounded by respective tubes 582 a, 582 b. The tubes582 a, 582 b are compressed between a respective housing 143 and thebacking plate 516 when the nuts 581 are tightened onto the tie rods 580a, 580 b. The tie rods 580 a, 580 b, and the tubes 582 a, 582 b fix thebearing housings 143 with respect to the backing plate 516. The tie rod580 b and tube 582 b are not shown in FIG. 29 but are identicallyconfigured and attached in parallel fashion as the tie rod 580 a, 582 a.The tie rods have a diameter of ¾ inches.

As shown in FIG. 28, reciprocating forces from the mold plate and drivesystem originate substantially in the horizontal plane of movement ofthe mold plate. These reciprocating forces are resisted by forcestransmitted through the plates 570, 571, 572 and the tie rod/tubecombinations 580 a, 582 a and 580 b, 582 b to the vertical backing plate516. The horizontal component of some of the reciprocation forces istransferred through the vertical backing plate through the rear struts510 a, 510 b and into the base plate 21 a.

The horizontal component of some of the reciprocation forces istransferred through the tie rod/tube combinations 532 a, 536 a; 532 b,536 b; 540, 542; 522 a, 524 a; and 522 b, 524 b to the pump housing 71and the blocks 520 a, 520 b. These forces are transferred through theblocks 520 a, 520 b through the forward struts 512 a, 512 b and into thebase plate 21 a.

According to one aspect of the invention, the individual struts 510 a,510 b, 512 a, 512 b are removable given the fact that they are fastenedin place using fasteners and can be removed from the machine base 21 andreplaced. This is particularly advantageous during assembly andreplacement of other components, wherein the struts can be removed foraccess to other components within the machine base 21.

All of the internal structural members' can be composed of structuralsteel, except the base plate 21 a is preferably composed of stainlesssteel and the pump housing 71 and manifold 27 are preferably composed ofstainless steel. FIG. 58 illustrates the pump housing 71 and the valvemanifold 27 as a single cast stainless steel part. By forming theseparts as a unitary part, significant assembly time is reduced, and themachine part count is reduced.

Hopper System

The hopper 25 can be constructed as a unitary, one piece part (FIG. 13),comprised of a 0.09 inch thick welded and polished stainless steel part.A one piece hopper is advantageous to reduce leakage.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hopper 25 is supported at a rear by a hingeshaft 602 via a rear bracket 604 that is fastened to a rear wall 25 d ofthe hopper 25. The bracket 604 is fixed to the hinge shaft 602 to rotatetherewith. The fixing can be by a press fit engagement, a keyedarrangement between the bracket and the shaft, or by the bracket beingfastened to the shaft with fasteners, or by another known non-rotationfixation method.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 16, 27 and 29, the hinge shaft 602 is supportedfrom the machine base 21 and journaled for rotation by a rear support606 (FIGS. 4 and 16) and by a front support 608 (FIG. 5). The rearsupport 606 includes a roller bearing 612 that surrounds the hinge shaft602 and provides for a reduced-friction rotation of the hinge shaft. Thefront support 608 comprises a sleeve bearing that provides for areduced-friction rotation of the hinge shaft.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 44, the hopper 25 and feed screw frame 42 arefixed to the shaft 602 by a bracket 610 that includes two bosses 610 aeach with a bore 610 b. The bracket 610 is fixed to rotate with theshaft 602 by use of a non-circular, hexagonal opening 611 a in thebracket 610 (See FIG. 13) that fits tightly over a correspondinglyshaped end protrusion 611 b (FIG. 4) of the shaft 602. The bracket isthen tightly clamped to the shaft by a bolt 609 and a washer 609 b(FIGS. 4 and 5), the bolt 609 engaged into a threaded bore in theprotrusion 611 b. The bracket 610 is fixed to the frame 42 by the bosses610 a being fit within a gap along the spacers 44 b of the front twospacers 44 b and the associated tie rods 44 a being inserted through thebosses 610 a and spacers 44 b and then tightened. The tie rods 44 a aretightened via threaded inserts 613 a to a horizontal plate 613 thatforms part of the hopper assembly. Also shown in FIG. 44, the base plate613 includes four slots 613 b, arranged symmetrically, two on each sideof the hopper. Four studs 613 c (one shown) are threaded into threadedholes in the pump housing 71, and fit within the slots 613 b when thehopper is pivoted down to its operational position. Four nuts 613 dsecure the base plate 613 and the hopper 25 to the pump housing 71. At arear of the apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 29 a crank lever 614 isprovided that is keyed by a key 614 a to the shaft 602.

A large threaded lock nut or lock collar 615 is threaded tightly onto athreaded end of the shaft and locked with a set screw 615 a. The cranklever 614 is pivotally connected at a distal end to an actuator, such asa hydraulic cylinder 616. The cylinder 616 is pivotally connected at anopposite end thereof to an anchor lug 618 fixed to the base plate 21 a.The cylinder is signal-connected via a hydraulic/electronic interface tothe machine controller. Expansion of the cylinder 616 causes the cranklever 614 to be turned counterclockwise (FIG. 16) by about 85 degrees tothe position shown as 614 aa. The shaft 602 is thus turned about 85degrees, as is the hopper 25 to the position marked 25 aa.

By rotating the hopper 25 to the position shown as 25 aa, the conveyorbelt 31 is exposed for cleaning or removal. The plate 613, being a partof the hopper assembly, pivots with the hopper 25, as does the frame 42.

As a further aspect of the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, theconveyor 30 includes a frame 619 having a hinge-side sidewall 620, anopposite-side sidewall 621, a plurality of lateral tie rods 622, aplurality of longitudinal ribs 623 supported on the tie rods 622, andtwo lateral tie rod beams 624, 625. The lateral tie rods 622 and the tierod beams 624, 625 each have surrounding sleeves or spacers between thesidewalls 620, 621 and are fixed at opposite ends by nuts or the like tothe sidewalls 620, 621. The conveyor frame 619 is simply supported onthe machine base along the opposite-side sidewall 621.

Two intermediate fixtures 636, 638 (FIGS. 4, 16B-16D) are welded orotherwise fixed to the wall 620 of the conveyor and surround the shaft602. The intermediate fixtures 636, 638 are rotatable with respect tothe shaft 602 about the axis of the shaft 602. The fixtures 636, 638have cross pins 640, 642 respectively. The fixtures are in two piecesthat are assembled around the shaft using fasteners 643. Two lift pins644, 646 with enlarged heads extend from the shaft adjacent oppositesides of each fixture 636, 638. The pins are press fit and fixed intobores in the shaft 602 by fasteners 648. During rotation of the shaft602 by about 85 degrees for the hopper 25 to assume the positionindicated as 25 aa in FIG. 10, the pins 644, 646 sweep a first portionof the 85 degrees freely until contact is made with the pins 640, 642.The pins 644, 646 sweep the last portion of the 85 degrees, lifting thepins 640, 642 and rotating the conveyor upward about 13 degrees. Thisraises the conveyor from its support on the opposite-side 621 of theframe 619. At this position, the conveyor can be cleaned or repaired asrequired. The surface area beneath the conveyor belt can be cleaned aswell. The conveyor belt 31 can be removed and/or cleaned.

Although the 85 degree hopper tilt and 13 degree conveyor tilt areadvantageous, it is anticipated that other angular tilts such as 45degrees-90 degrees for the hopper and 10 degrees-30 degrees for theconveyor may be advantageous as well. The location and size or shape ofthe pins 644, 646 can be adjusted to select the hopper and conveyor tiltamounts.

The hopper 25 and conveyor 30 are pivoted by the actuator 616 via themachine controller, particularly by instructions give to the controllervia the control panel 19.

The hopper tilt system is configured such that apparatus can be easilyfactory converted from a right side operating apparatus to a left sideoperating apparatus, that is, the hopper assembly is factory reversibleacross the longitudinal centerline of the apparatus. For example thecrank lever 614 comprises a lever arm 614 b that is welded to a collar614 c that is secured to the shaft 602. In the factory, the lever arm614 b can easily be switched for a right side operation by flipping overthe lever arm and welding the lever arm the collar. The remaining shaftsupports and brackets can be reused for mounting the system on theopposite side of the machine. Parts needing to be designed andmanufactured can be reduced, given the bidirectional feature of thedesign.

Cooling Air System

The present invention also provides an improved cooling air system. Thecooling air system includes two axial fans 702, 704 shown in FIGS. 16and 29 that draw air in on a top side and discharge air downward intothe machine base 21. The fans 702, 704 are mounted on elevated baffleplate 706 within a fan chamber 708. The baffle plate 706 providesopenings beneath the fans 702, 704, for axial airflow into the machinebase 21. The fan chamber includes a rectangular surrounding side wall710 having a seal 712 around its upper lip.

A cover 716 is provided over top side wall 710. The cover 716 is movableup-and-down. In FIG. 29, the cover 716 is shown in broken fashion toillustrate the movement of the cover 716. It is understood however thatthe cover 716 is one part and is either raised her lowered as one part.The elevated position of the cover 716 is indicated as 716 a shown onthe right side half of the cover 716 and the lowered position isindicated as 716 b shown on the left side half of the cover.

Plural pneumatic cylinders 722, eight according to the preferredembodiment, are fastened at base ends to the baffle plate 706. Thepneumatic cylinders include extendable rods 726 that are fastened to thecover 716. The cylinders 722 are configured such that when energizedwith pressurized air the cylinders extend rods 726 to elevate the cover716 to the position indicated as 716 a, held above the seal 712. Outsideair can be admitted under the cover and up and over the seal 712 to theinlet of the fans 702, 704 as indicated by the arrows “A.” The cylinders722 overcome the compression force of springs 730 within the cylinders722 to elevate the cover 716 as shown in position 716 a. If thecylinders 722 are de-energized, such as by loss of electrical power tothe apparatus 20, the springs 730 urge the cover 716 downward onto theseal 712, as shown in position 716 b, to close the inlet.

During operation, the cylinders 722 are energized, and the cover 716 iselevated as shown in position 716 a. The fans 702, 704 force air throughthe machine base 21.

Air passes through the machine and exits the machine base 21 at a frontof the machine base 21. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, two air exit dampers740, 742 are provided having shut off plates 744, 746. The shut offplates 744, 746 are positioned over air openings 750, 752 through thebase plate 502. The plates 744, 746 are carried by rods 754, 756 viaself aligning couplings 754 a, 756 a and are raised and lowered bycylinders 758, 760. The cylinders are supported by a bracket 764 fromthe machine base 21 or other stationary structure.

Within the cylinders 758, 760 are springs (not shown) that areconfigured to urge the plates 744, 746 downward from the elevated, openposition indicated as 744 a, 746 a to the lowered, closed positionindicated as 744 b, 746 b. During operation, cylinders 758, 750 areenergized and pneumatic pressure elevates the plates 744, 746 to theposition 744 a, 746 a, overcoming the urging of the springs within thecylinders 758, 760.

If power is interrupted to the apparatus 20, the plates 744, 746 arelowered by the springs within the cylinders 758, 760 to close the airexit dampers 740, 742.

When the apparatus 20 is washed and sanitized, power is normally shutoff. Because power is interrupted, the cover 716 is automatically closedand the air exit dampers 740, 742 are automatically closed. Thus, spray,wash water and debris are prevented from entering the machine base 21.

The hopper tilt system, the control panel 23, and the cooling air systemare configured such that apparatus can be easily factory converted froma right side operating apparatus to a left side operating apparatus,that is, factory reversible across the longitudinal centerline of theapparatus.

Hydraulic System

The apparatus incorporates a hydraulic system such as described in U.S.Pat. No. 3,887,964 or Re 30,096, herein incorporated by reference, or ascurrently used on FORMAX F-26 machines. In such systems a lowerpressure, higher volume hydraulic pump and a higher pressure, lowervolume hydraulic pump are used. The lower pressure pump is useful formoving the hydraulic piston and the associated plunger a large distancesuch as from a retracted position to a position wherein the food productis initially compressed within the cylinder by the plunger. The higherpressure pump is useful to move the plunger an incremental distance eachmold plate reciprocation cycle, to deliver food product under pressureinto the mold cavities.

One improvement in the present invention is the fact that the lowerpressure pump 1410 and the higher pressure hydraulic pump 1414 are bothdriven by a common electric motor 1416, in series on the motor outputshaft, wherein the pumps 1410, 1414 are located in the hydraulic fluidreservoir 1418, submerged below a hydraulic fluid fill line 1417. Bybeing submerged, the pumps run quieter, cooler and more efficiently.

The motor 1416 is preferably a 15 HP totally enclosed, fan cooled motor.As shown in FIGS. 29 and 55, the motor 1416 is supported on a platform1416 a that is supported in cantilever fashion from the reservoir 1416.The motor includes a rotary output shaft 1416 b.

The reservoir 1418 is preferably a stainless steel tank. A bottom 1419of the reservoir is advantageously visible for inspection and cleaningand sanitizing. The reservoir 1418 can be elevated from the base 21 a onisolation mounts.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pumps 1410 and 1414 have pump shafts 1424 a,1424 b connected by a coupling 1424 c, shown dashed. As shown in FIGS.29 and 55, the pump shaft 1424 a is coupled to the motor output shaft1416 b by a mechanical coupling 1426. A motor mount 1430 surrounds thecoupling 1426 as it is sealed to a wall 1418 a of the reservoir 1418 bya ring seal 1430 a clamped between a backing ring 1430 b that isfastened through the wall 1418 a to the motor mount 1430. The lowerpressure pump 1410 is bolted to the backing ring in sealed fashion.

Mold Cover Lift System

During mold plate change or to clean the apparatus, it is necessary tolift the mold housing or mold cover 123 from above the mold plate 32.The bolts 125 are removed as a first step for lifting of the housing123.

A mold housing lift mechanism 800 is mounted inside the machine base 21and extends upward to the housing 123. The lift mechanism includes twojacks 802, 804 shown in FIGS. 8 and 27. The jacks are operativelyconnected to right angle drives 808, 810, which are operativelyconnected to a T type right angle drive 814, via drive shafts 818, 820and respective couplings 823, 824, 826, 828, 830. The right angle drive814 is driven into rotation by a hydraulic motor 836.

The jack 802 is described below with the understanding that the jack 804is identically configured and functions identically, in tandem, as thejack 802.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 27 and 30-33, the drive 808 turns a threaded rod orjackscrew 842 that drives a nut drive assembly 844 vertically. The jackscrew 872 is journaled for rotation at a top end by a guide 845. Thejack screw 842 and guide 845 can include a bearing therebetween forsmooth journaled rotation of the jackscrew. The drive assembly 844 isoperatively connected to a lift column 850 via a bracket 851 which isvertically driven with the drive nut assembly. The columns 850 of thejacks 802, 804, are fixed to the housing 123 by bolts 856, 858. Thecolumns 850 are hollow and can also serve as wire and tube conduits.

As shown in FIGS. 30-31, the bracket 851 is clamped onto a bottom ofcolumn 850. The bracket 851 rests on a drive nut 870 that is driven bythe drive rod 842. A limit plate 862 is fastened to the drive nut 870 byspacers 867 and fasteners 866. A collar 874 is fastened to the bottom ofthe drive nut 870 with fasteners 875.

The drive nut 870 has inside threads engaged to the outside threads ofthe drive rod 842. A secondary nut 882 is threaded onto the jackscrews842 beneath the drive nut 870.

Proximity target, magnetic plate 892 is fastened to a mounting plate 894which is fastened to the bracket 851 by fasteners 900. A proximitysensor 908 is mounted within the machine base 21 along the vertical pathof the magnetic plate 892 and set at a maximum acceptable. The magneticplate 892 sets an acceptable vertical range for a mold cover operatingelevation. If the mold cover is elevated beyond this range, the sensor908 will be below the magnetic plate 892 and will so signal the machinecontroller which will prevent operation of the machine.

A further proximity target 904 is fastened to a lateral side of thebracket 851. Proximity sensor 910 is mounted at an elevated positionwithin the machine base along the vertical path of the target 904 andsignals a pre-determined raised maximum height of the mold cover castingfor a mold plate change out procedure. The proximity sensor 910 signalsthe machine controller to stop the motor 836 at that point.

The collar 874 has internal protruding pins 878, surrounding thejackscrew 842 and a secondary nut 882. The secondary nut includesnotches 886 for receiving the pins 878. During normal lifting operation,the pins will be engaged to, or will engage, the secondary nut 882 asshown in FIG. 14. The secondary nut 882 ceases to rotate freely with thejackscrew 842 and thereafter travels with the assembly 844 up and downon the jackscrew 842. The secondary nut 882 provides backup support forthe drive nut 870 in the unlikely event that the drive nut fails tosupport the bracket 851.

As shown in FIG. 32, before engagement with the pins of the drive nutassembly 844, the secondary nut 882 is free to rotate with the jackscrew842 between the nut 870 and the pins 878. Once the pins 878 arerelatively elevated with respect to the nut 882 to engage the notches886 the secondary nut moves vertically with the assembly 844. If thedrive nut 870 fails during lifting, the secondary nut 882 is in aposition to support the drive nut assembly and bracket 851, but will notfunction to lift the nut assembly 844. If the jackscrew is turned, thesecondary nut 882 will rise to the point until it disengages from thepins 878 and then turn substantially freely with the rotating jackscrew842.

FIG. 33 illustrates the assembly with the mold cover lowered and the nut870 lowered a further amount with the plate 862 contacting, or adjacentto, the bracket 851. Thus, the nut assembly 844 can completely disengagefrom the bracket 851.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended orshould be inferred.

1. In a patty-forming apparatus having a machine base having anenclosing wall and containing equipment within said machine base thatgenerates heat, the improvement comprising: an air inlet opening and anair outlet opening through said enclosing wall; an air fan arranged tomove outside air from said air inlet opening to said air outlet opening;a first air damper arranged to close one of said air inlet opening orsaid air outlet opening, said first air damper configured toautomatically close if power is interrupted to said apparatus.
 2. Thepatty forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first airdamper is arranged to close said air inlet opening, and furthercomprising a second air damper arranged to close said air outletopening, said second air damper configured to automatically close ifpower is interrupted to said apparatus.
 3. The patty forming apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said inlet opening is located on a topside of said machine base, and said first damper comprises a cover andat least one inlet pneumatic cylinder that elevates said cover abovesaid inlet opening when energized, allowing outside air to enter saidinlet opening, and at least one inlet spring configured such that whensaid inlet pneumatic cylinder is de-energized, said inlet spring urgessaid cover onto said inlet opening to close said inlet opening.
 4. Thepatty forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said outletopening is located on a bottom of said machine base, and said seconddamper comprises a plate over said outlet opening and an outletpneumatic cylinder operatively connected to said plate to elevate saidplate above said outlet opening to open said outlet opening when saidoutlet pneumatic cylinder is energized, and an outlet spring arranged tourge said plate onto said outlet opening to close said outlet openingwhen said outlet pneumatic cylinder is de-energized.
 5. The pattyforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inlet opening islocated on a top side of said machine base, and said first dampercomprises a cover and at least one inlet pneumatic cylinder thatelevates said cover above said inlet opening when energized, allowingoutside air to enter said inlet opening, and at least one inlet springconfigured such that when said inlet pneumatic cylinder is de-energized,said inlet spring urges said cover onto said inlet opening to close saidinlet opening.
 6. The patty forming apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said outlet opening is located on a bottom of said machine base,and said first damper comprises a plate over said outlet opening and anoutlet pneumatic cylinder operatively connected to said plate to elevatesaid plate above said outlet opening to open said outlet opening whensaid outlet pneumatic cylinder is energized, and an outlet springarranged to urge said plate onto said outlet opening to close saidoutlet opening when said outlet pneumatic cylinder is de-energized. 7.The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said air inlet opening isformed through an upper portion of said enclosing wall and said airoutlet is formed through a lower portion of said enclosing wall.
 8. Theimprovement according to claim 1, wherein said first damper comprises acover that is pneumatically powered to lift away from said air inletopening to open said air inlet opening.
 9. The improvement according toclaim 1, wherein said second damper comprises a cover that ispneumatically powered to lift away from said air outlet opening to opensaid air outlet opening.
 10. The improvement according to claim 1,wherein said first air damper is arranged to close said air inletopening and further comprising a second air damper arranged to closesaid air outlet opening, said first air damper arranged outside of saidenclosing wall and said second air damper arranged within said enclosingwall.